Vale! safe and sound! [_He takes the plates, then grasps VALE'S extended hand._] Bless you, old fellow. I'm myself again. [_Going gaily to the table with the plates._] My dear ladies, I blush--I positively blush--I am the worst host in the world.
[_Helping the ladies._] I'll make amends, by George! You may have noticed I've been confoundedly out of sorts. That's my temperament-- now up, now down. I've just taken a turn, ha, ha! Oysters.
Ah! I've passed many a happy hour in this room. The present is not the least happy.
[_Trying to attract his attention._] Ahem! Ahem!
[_Gazing up at the ceiling._] My first visit to the Hotel des Princes was in the year--the year--let me think.
[_Whispering to AGATHA POSKET._] Isn't he going to help me?
[_Quickly passing her plate over to CHARLOTTE._] I'm not hungry.
[_Emphatically._] It _was_ in '55. I'm forgetful again--pardon me. [_He hands plate of oysters to CHARLOTTE, and is surprised to find her eating vigorously._] Why, I thought I---- [_To AGATHA POSKET._] My dear madam, a thousand apologies. [_He helps her and then himself._] Pah! they're cold--icy--you could skate on 'em. There's a dish of something else over there.
[_He goes to the sideboard; VALE'S hand is again stretched forth with the other covered dish._
[_Taking the dish._] Thanks, old fellow. [_He returns to the table and lifts the cover._] Soles--they look tempting. If there are only some lemons! Surely they are not so brutal as to have forgotten the lemons. Where are they? [_He returns to the sideboard._] Where are they? [_In an undertone to VALE._] Have you seen any lemons?
Pray, think less of us, Colonel Lukyn. Let me take care of you.
You're very kind. I wish you would let me ring for some lemons.
[_VALE'S hand comes as before from behind the curtain to the sideboard, finds the dish of lemons, and holds it out at arm's length._
[_AGATHA POSKET is helping LUKYN, when suddenly CHARLOTTE, with her fork in the air, leans back open-mouthed, staring wildly at VALE'S arm extended with the dish._
You're ill, Charlotte! Surely you are not choking?
[_Pointing to the curtains._] Look, look!
What's that? } } [_Together._] AGATHA POSKET. }
I can explain. Don't condemn till you've heard. I--I---- Damn it, sir, put these lemons down!